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CONDITIONS
AND DISEASES PREVENTED AND HELPED BY A LOW-CARB, HIGH-FAT DIET

"NH&WL may be the best non-technical book on diet ever
written"
Joel Kauffman, PhD, Professor Emeritus, University of the Sciences,
Philadelphia, PA

Vitamin E Needs Fat for its Absorption

Yvonne M. Jeanes; Wendy L. Hall; Susan Ellard; Elizabeth Lee; John K. Lodge. The absorption of vitamin E is influenced by the amount of fat in a meal and the food matrix.
British Journal of Nutrition, 2004; 92: 575-579

Centre for Nutrition and Food Safety, School of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK

Abstract:
Vitamin E absorption requires the presence of fat; however, limited information exists on the influence of fat quantity on optimal absorption.

Blood was taken at 0, 0Â·5, 1, 1Â·5, 2, 3, 6 and 9 h following ingestion, chylomicrons were isolated, and 2H-labelled -tocopherol was analysed in the chylomicron and plasma samples. There was a significant time (P<0Â·001) and treatment effect (P<0Â·001) in 2H-labelled -tocopherol concentration in both chylomicrons and plasma between the test meals.

2H-labelled -tocopherol concentration was significantly greater with the higher-fat toast and butter meal compared with the low-fat cereal meal or water (P<0Â·001), and a trend towards greater concentration compared with the high-fat cereal meal (P=0Â·065). There was significantly greater 2H-labelled -tocopherol concentration with the high-fat cereal meal compared with the low-fat cereal meal (P<0Â·05). The 2H-labelled -tocopherol concentration following either the low-fat cereal meal or water was low.

These results demonstrate that both the amount of fat and the food matrix influence vitamin E absorption. These factors should be considered by consumers and for future vitamin E intervention studies.

COMMENT:

Vitamin E is one of the anti-oxidant vitamins many of us need. But there is no point is eating a diet rich in vitamin E – or taking vitamin E pills – unless you eat it with fat. If you are on a low-fat diet, you are wasting your money.

You should also note that breakfast cereals also tend to inhibit its absorption.

This study is also applicable to other nutrients: Vitamin E is only one of four fat-soluble vitamins; the others are vitamins, A, D and K. And in a similar way, these three vitamins will also not be absorbed from a low-fat diet.

While we are on this subject, Calcium is another mineral that needs a high-fat diet for its absorption. Only about 5% is absorbed from skim milk, whereas 50% is absorbed from full-cream milk. It's no wonder that bone diseases are increasing.

Last updated 13 February 2005

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Disclaimer: Second Opinions is the website of Barry Groves PhD, offering online nutritional facts and online nutritional information. This website should be used to support rather than replace medical advice advocated by physicians.sitemap